Method for reduction of aluminum with improved reduction cell and anodes

Abstract

Abstract A system for the fused floride electrolysis of aluminum in a potcell wherein a carbonaceous anode and potlining are preserved against deterioration by impregnating their respective surfaces with a pitch-fluoride mixture and a pitch-graphite mixture. Atmospheric oxidation of anode surfaces is prevented so maximum anode cross sectional area is preserved and, hence, has minimum resistance for current travel through the anode and through the underlying electrolyte. The more dense carbon surface also reduces corner erosion of anodes. Impregnation is preferably carried out with one or more applications of aluminum fluoride suspended in a high melting, low volatile coal tar pitch. An improved potlining protects against electrolyte penetration and circulating metal erosion of the potlining surface, and improves conductivity; the lining bottom is sealed and smoothed with graphite suspended in molten pitch, which is absorbed by capillary attraction, and which increases conductivity. The lining walls are sealed and smoothed with a similar mixture of fluorspar and pitch, which decreases conductivity.

Inventors

• 👤 A Johnson

Bibliographic Details